Significance

• Marshall Field's launched the first official bridal registry in its Chicago store in 1924, creating a display with household items that the couple had selected so wedding guests could choose from the display as they purchased their gift. In 1993, Target created the first electronic bridal registry, simplifying the registry and gift-buying process.
  
  All in all, bridal registries ensure the new bride and groom get the gifts that they both want and need for their life together, reducing unnecessary returns and showering them with affection as they prepare to tie the knot.
  
  

Timing

• Brides and grooms are encouraged to create a wedding registry shortly after their engagement or at least four to six months before the wedding since some guests will want to purchase a gift right away. This will also be helpful for any pre-wedding showers or parties. It is perfectly acceptable to start a registry and then return to it later to add on to or update the list.
  
  

Size and Price

• The registry should be large enough so that everyone--even the last-minute shoppers--has several options that suit their taste and budget. Brides and grooms should include some inexpensive items for wedding guests on a low budget as well as a few luxury items for relatives and friends who want to get them something special. It's recommended to register at two or three stores.
  
  

Etiquette

• Even though some department stores will give out printed cards that state the location of the registry, it it considered bad etiquette to include these in a wedding invitation. Family and friends can share this information, as can the host or a shower. Many guests will also ask the couple directly where they are registered, in which case they can efficiently pass along the information.
  
  

Alternatives

• Since many people are getting married later in life, many brides and grooms already have pretty much everything they need in terms of housewares. In some cases, couples are opting to register for a cause (the environment, for example), simply asking for donations in their names, where others register for cash or gifts related to their honeymoon trip.
  
  

Organization

• One of the best features about wedding registries is that they organize the entire process, making it easier for guests to determine what the couple needs most and making it simple to track gifts and thank-you cards.